Creating Cinematic Flights: From Tokyo to Kyoto in 3D

Japan is one of the most popular settings for map animations due to its unique geography and iconic city layouts. In this tutorial, we’ll build a cinematic "Flight" animation from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Step 1: Set Your Projection

For a flight animation that covers several hundred kilometers, you want depth.

1. Open the style selector and toggle to Globe Projection.
2. Switch to Satellite Style. This makes the mountainous terrain between Tokyo and Kyoto look stunning when the camera tilts.

Step 2: Plot the Flight Path

1. Use the Route Tool from the center bar.
2. Drag the Blue handle to Tokyo and the Red handle to Kyoto.
3. In the sidebar, set Transport Mode to Flight. This automatically calculates a "Geodesic" curve that arcs high above the Japanese Alps.

Step 3: Scene Prep

• Slide 1: Position Tokyo in the bottom center. Click "+".
• Slide 2: Move to Kyoto. Tilt the camera (Right Click + Drag) to see the skyline. Click "+".
• Add a Pin Sticker at both locations. Set the style to Dot for a minimalist, modern look.

Step 4: Easing for Realism

Set the transition to Smooth. This ensures your "plane" takes off gracefully and lands gently. For a "flyover" feel, check out our guide on Travel Vlog Hacks.

Finally, don't forget to professional rendering engine before exporting to ensure all the 3D structures in Tokyo are fully loaded!